Bonjour my honeys! How are we all doing? Sorry that this chapter took so long…I had other…arrangements… to deal with. Well I guess I better get on with it, seeing as I've kept you poor readers in the dark for so long.
"So this? This is where you live?" the stranger's voice echoed around the sculpted ceilings of the cathedral. It was stunning. The faces of saints carved into the stone walls, the tiled floors played out scenes. Candles illuminated every alcove, pillars rose from the floor, stretching upwards to form arches which the roof of the cathedral rested upon. Every inch of the ceiling was carved out with either figures, animals or plants. It was the most spectacular sight he'd ever seen.
"This place is…it's beautiful! And…you two live here?"
"Yes. Us and sixteen others." Sora smiled at the stranger.
"Sixteen!"
"Mother Eva is guardian to eighteen orphans. I'm the oldest, followed by Dai, Takeru, Ailsa, Sophia, Cody, Mathieu, Samuel, Elodie, Lily, Melody, Frederic, George, Henry, Cornelia, Constance, Alexander and little Marie is the youngest is only a year old."
"Me and Sora were the first orphans Mother Eva took in." Dai grinned.
"So…were are they? If there's sixteen more kids in here where…."
"SORA, DAISUKE!" A chorus of screams and squeals erupted from the other end of the cathedral. An army of kids rushed from behind a large oak door. Chatter spilled fourth from their mouths as they surrounded the two young adults.
"Sora look what I made…" "I learnt how…" "Samuel pulled my hair!" "Did not!" "Yeah you did Sam…I saw you." "Dai can you show me that move again…"
So many kids, and they're talking so much. How do Dai and Sor cope with this…EVERY DAY! The stranger's head reeled as he watched the frenzy of children.
"They've been like this ALL day. You two were lucky to be out of range of the constant noise." A tall blonde boy walked through the throng of chattering kids. He had a kind face and a lean build.
"Glad to hear you coped with it Takeru." Sora giggled at the blonde boy, before turning towards the stranger.
"This is Takeru."
"Pleasure to meet you." The stranger stretched his hand out to the blonde boy. He took it and began to shake it as Sora introduced the stranger.
"Takeru…this is L'inconnu" she smiled as the boy's jaw dropped, his periwinkle blue eyes staring into the chocolate brown orbs of "L'inconnu".
"Oh my."
"And so you've finally arrived my dear boy. You finally came for her." An old voice croaked out from the same oak door that the kids had came from. Standing in the threshold of the door was an old woman. She had soft expressive features and her eyes had much wisdom within them. Her face was fairly wrinkled and her hair was hidden by her habit. She walked forward, relying quite a lot on her walking stick, her other hand playing with her rosary beads.
"This…is Mother Eva."
Chapitre six- Le journée commence
"L'inconnu. You arrived. That old bat Gennai was finally right about something." The old woman grinned over her shoulder as she led the stranger and the group of screeching kids down the marbled hallways of the cathedral.
"Old bat? She's one to talk." Dai chuckled to the blonde boy, Takeru, in a hushed voice.
"OUCH!" a walking stick flew through the air, striking Dai squarely on the top of the head.
"I heard that you little whelk. Didn't I ever teach you to respect your elders? I may be old, but I've still got my hearing and a good throw." The old woman gave Dai a scowl over her shoulder, as one of the smaller children handed her walking stick back. "Now…where was I? Ah yes…L'inconnu, you must be hungry from your travels, hmmn? Join us for dinner."
The stranger's eyebrows rose in surprise at the gesture. Kindness was not normally a trait he was subject to. Most people ignored him, or tended to hide from him. Not many had even greeted him, never mind offer to take him in and feed him. He stopped at the threshold of the room the children had now entered. Two large, marble gargoyles glared down at him from their perch.
"As much as the offer tempts me, I must decline. I already feel disrespectful by setting foot on holy grounds…I am after all…a demon." He motioned to the stone onlookers, at the word 'Demon'; the children grew silent and listened intently. They had not been listening to the rest of the conversation due to their squabbling, however the word 'Demon' had brought them back to their senses.. "I would feel ashamed if I was to deprive you of what little food you have…"
"Nonsense" the old woman interrupted with a determined tone. "We have plenty food to spare."
"But Mother Eva…didn't he just say he was a demon!" a boy with black hair and a pair of gleaming green eyes, turned to face the stranger, his face set with malice.
"Yeah we can't let a demon in!"
"Yeah!" Uproar and confrontation began.
"Look, maybe I should leave."
"HOLD YOUR TONGUES, EVERY ONE OF YOU!" A loud voice echoed and ricocheted around the cathedral walls. Everyone turned to see a frustrated and red faced Sora.
"All of you listen here. And that includes YOU too." She pointed in the stranger's direction. "What in heavens name has gotten into you all." Her eyes almost seemed to glow with an indignant and stubborn light.
"Sora! You cannot possibly be sticking up for this…this…dem…" the green eyed boy piped up again
"Cody…I said be quiet. Do you really think that this man would have been able to enter the Cathedral of Angels, if he was not worthy? Maybe he is a demon; in fact…I know he is a demon. But he is not like the rest. Do you know who he is?" there was a hollow silence. "No. I thought not. This man…is L'inconnu." A chorus of gasps and whispers flooded out the children's mouths.
"Are you…are you serious? Is…he…is he really L'inconnu?" the green eyed child that went by the name Cody, managed to stutter out.
"Hey kid…I'm right here. You could just ask me yourself." The child stared up at the imposing man standing right behind him.
"You…y…you crrrr…crossed the threshold…but you're a…a…a demon!"
"Correction…I am THE demon. I AM…L'inconnu…and I'm not going to kill you, so relax and have a little faith in your friend." He motioned to Sora. The room was bathed in a deafening silence, as each child's mouth hung open and limp, not a word escaping their lips. Mother Eva gave a small chuckle.
"Well now that everyone's been introduced," another quiet chuckle was emitted from her thin lips. "We can get this dinner under way, children set up the table. Takeru get the meat, I think there is some left over ham in the pantry and some chicken also. Daisuke go get the bread…AND NO EATING IT BEFORE DINNER! Ailsa get the fruit, and Cody bring some wine, mead and some jugs of water…"
The stranger stepped forward, hands raised. "Really you don't need to go to all this trouble for me…"
"Nonsense. There's plenty food to go round, we've just restocked. Sora, show the young man where to put his horse. We can't have the poor beast standing out in the cold."
"How'd you know my horse was outside? I might have travelled by foot?"
"I may be old but I'm not stupid. And while you're there Sora, give Beatrice a feed. Old thing needs to keep her weight up."
Sora left the room, the stranger trailing behind her, shaking his head in amusement at the old woman.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
"She's a character isn't she?" Sora chuckled as she led the stranger and his steed through the old barn that adjoined to the southern side of the cathedral. There was a row of stalls on either side of the alleyway that lead down the barn. A couple of stalls were occupied, but most empty.
"You can have this stall. It should be big enough for…err?"
"Diablo." The stranger chuckled as the redhead raised her eyebrows at the black horse's name.
"Interesting name. Well anyway 'Diablo' will be next to my horse, Cherub." She motioned to the strawberry roan mare in the next stall.
"Interesting name, Ange." Sora couldn't help but blush when he called her that. The stranger looked over the half door of Diablo's new neighbour. The mare who was snoozing lightly, curled up on her bed of straw. She opened an eye lazily, staring at the stranger with disinterest, before craning her neck to take a look at the figure behind him. She gave a squeal of excitement, rising to her feet with a quick burst of energy. Trotting straight to the door, pushing her head past the stranger and reaching her nose out towards Sora, standing behind.
"Hey girl! Good to see you too." Sora gave a small giggle as the mare licked and nibbled the carrot within Sora's hands. After snaffling down the carrot Cherub rubbed her head up against her mistress' shoulder, before turning to sniff the stranger.
"Friendly little horse aren't you?" the stranger questioned the pretty mare, as she nuzzled his hood and then his pockets. There was a loud snort, followed by a grunt as Diablo's black muzzle shot forward, snapping his large teeth at Cherub and bearing them like an overgrown wolf or lynx. In response to the stallion's reaction, the little mare screeched at him before rising up on her hind legs and thrashing her fore legs at the stallion's head. It was one thing for that overgrown wolf to snap at her, but in her territory? No chance. She'd take the intruder out, no holds barred.
"DIABLO!"
"CHERUB!"
The two young adults shouted at their respective steeds. The stranger clamped his hand down on the stallion's upper nose; pressing down on the nostrils like a harness would, causing the horse to stop struggling. Meanwhile Sora clutched at Cherub's mane, before grasping the spot behind her ears and applying pressure. The result causing the little mare to cease her rearing fit. After a couple of minutes coaxing and reassuring, the two horses calmed down, before the stranger managed to lead Diablo into the stall next door.
"I'm so sorry about…"
"I'm deeply sorry about..." the pair stopped mid sentence, a short chuckle echoed between the two of them.
"Diablo doesn't really like me to share attention with other horses." He laughed. "He's like a jealous wife." Sora laughed in return.
"It's alright, Cherub can give as good as it gets. She's quite volatile, likes a good fight. Plus she's territorial to boot." The girl grinned at her little mare, who had gone back to nuzzling her mistress as if nothing had happened. Diablo however had gone to the back of the stall in a grump.
"It's your own fault you grouchy beast." His master laughed before tossing an apple to him, which the stallion accepted greedily.
"There's hay for you to put in his manger at the back of the barn. I'm sure he'll need a good feed too?"
"If you wouldn't mind…Ange." The stranger grinned at her.
"I told you, you can just call me Sora…everyone else does."
"Yes, but I'm not everyone else. Plus I think it's a very good nickname…it suits you." She blushed wildly at this comment. Turning away shyly, she reached for some old wooden buckets, before wandering towards a set of barrels at the far end of the barn. Taking one last glance over her shoulder at the dashing young stranger, Sora began the task of dishing out the horses' feeds. The stranger watched the redhead for a couple of seconds…she truly was beautiful. Her auburn hair fell around her face, covering most of her features. Her crimson eyes however, shone out from behind the curtain of hair, glistening like fire reflected in two small pools of water. She huffed and puffed, as she tried to reach the bottom of the deep barrels, digging at the feed inside before scooping it into each wooden bucket.
"Need any help there?" his voice reverberated around the walls of the old barn, a teasing grin played across his face. He watched the girl struggle with the feed barrels with much amusement, as he tossed hay into stall's manger for Diablo.
"I'm quite alright thanks. I'll manage." She gave a small giggle, filling up the last bucket, before shouting out: "Dinner time guys!"
The stranger laughed as the inhabitants of the barn all shot to the front of their stables, craning their necks over the door. Cherub stretched out to snaffle at the buckets, causing Sora to move them out of her reach.
"No. Remember Cherub…age before beauty." She turned to a large shire horse in the stable opposite. The old mare's face was greying in places, her pink muzzle was dotted with whiskers and her large almond shaped eyes held a lifetime's wisdom.
"Hey there, Beatrice. How you feeling today old girl?" the old mare snickered in reply as Sora let her self into the horse's stable. After tending to Beatrice, Sora began on the other horses.
"There we go Cherub. Some for our guest, Diablo. Feather. Marble. Louis, wait your turn. A bucket for Katana. Poltergeist…don't be so greedy!" The stranger laughed as Sora pushed back a boisterous black and white cob, who was greedily pulling at the bucket in her arms.
"This is Daisuke's horse, Poltergeist. He's just like Dai, headstrong, greedy, fiery…very affectionate though." She rubbed the gelding's nose lovingly, causing him in return to rest his large head on her shoulder. After a couple of seconds he removed his head from its perch, before carrying on eating. Sora left the stall and made her way to where the stranger was standing at the main door, blowing out the lamps as she went.
"Quite the horse whisperer, aren't we?" the stranger grinned at Sora, who in return smiled at him bashfully.
"Ok I've got to go boys and girls. Nighty night."
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….....
As the pair entered back into the cathedral, they were greeted by the sound of laughter and chatter. Sora led the way to one of the rooms, hidden within the majestic cathedral. The room was of a considerable size; candelabras were mounted upon the walls lighting up the stone room. A large oak table was set up in the middle of the room, food laid out banquet style. The children and Mother Eva all sat around the table and as he entered, the stranger noticed that sixteen sets of eyes peered up at him. They watched him: some with suspicion, some with fear and some with hope. The only ones not watching him were Mother Eva, Daisuke and Sora. Dai was busy carving at a large piece of meat while Mother Eva was flicking through the pages of an ancient manuscript. Sora smiled at the stranger, as if offering out an olive branch to the young man. Her smile was amazing, that was all he could say about it. A simple, but beautiful smile. Taking the seat next to her, he offered back a large grin.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
His silver irises trawled over the mirror's cold, smooth surface. He glared at the moving images that fleeted across the glass, his white eyes filled with such malice and intent. Bloodlust ran through his veins as he watched the chestnut haired man smile a large toothy grin. His anger simmered for a second as those snake like orbs focused on the redheaded female sitting next to his apparent enemy. The bloodlust was replaced with just pure lust. He watched the beauty for a few minutes, scrutinizing every movement, every flash of skin…ecstasy. A snake like tongue flickered out from his mouth, licking his lips and fangs. His attention was brought back with a crash, as his focus switched to the mop haired man who caressed her hand with his lips, a promise uttering from them. The promise was directed to the old bat that sat across from him…a promise of protection over the fiery redhead. The snake eyed man seethed even more as she blushed at L'inconnu's promise. Slamming the gilded mirror down, the beast's twisted face changed to a smug grin.
"Enjoy your meal reject, for it will be your last. She's mine L'inconnu. Mine." His oily voice slithered and hissed from the back of his throat as he spoke. His eyes moved to a shadow located in the corner of the room. "And thus let it commence, my move to ultimate power. Destroy him and bring the girl to me….unharmed."
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
The meal had ended a couple of hours ago and the younger children had long gone to bed. Sitting on the roof of the cathedral, the stranger gave a sigh. This is not going to be easy. He thought with a grimace. She obviously loved her home and family…to take her away from them…for her own protection? It sounded a little absurd. But the fact was…if she knew the danger she faced, the danger her family was in, by her being with them… He hated thinking about it. He knew of the danger…he knew it personally; he had faced off with his armies and won. He had stared down the man himself and survived. But Sora? She was naïve to the impending danger. The most she had witnessed was now just a distant memory. A very vivid memory however. But a memory nonetheless, of the first generation…the now deceased generation. It was the second and current generating that should be feared. And then there was that second problem with this mission. Granted it wasn't a serious obstacle, but it may cause some difficulties. He had known her a couple of days, and already he felt it. Deep within his chest and within the pit of his stomach. That hazy feeling in his head and that…explicit feeling down 'there'. It was like an incurable disease; a disease he had become attached to and had no intentions of curing…he liked it. He liked her…possibly loved her. But who was to say, emotions like love and friendship had been void from his life up until now. It was just so complicated. Leaning back against the cool roof tiles, L'inconnu decided to take a quick nap.
After drifting off for a few minutes, a not so new sensation came over him. Every nerve ending prickled, his flesh crawled and his brain screamed out warning signs. Shooting up from his lying position, he saw it, seeping over the city horizon like a dark plague. Riding the crest of the dark wave, was fierce red surf…fire. They had fire. They'd torch the whole city, burn it to the ground. The vast wave approached at an astounding pace, but not to him…he had seen it all before. His memories flashed back to the arid depths of the charred "le Terre de Diable". Hundreds of the bastards, their cold eyes staring into his, swords raised high as their black armour glinted in the midday sun. They were here…for them. Sliding down from his perch, the stranger swung through an open arched window. The window led to a room in the bell tower, which mother Eva had kindly lent him. Leaping down the stone spiral stairs, he burst into the main cathedral, where Sora was busy sweeping.
"We have to leave…NOW!" his voice held a stern authoritative tone to it. His eyes stared into her mind, his whole body language screamed out danger.
"What on earth are you talking about?" putting down the brush she had in her hands, she brought her hands to her hips. Grabbing her shoulders, he looked her dead in the eyes.
"WE are in DANGER…just take a look out the window…we have to leave now." Sora hesitantly made her way to the stained glass window. Peering through one of the few colourless pieces of glass, what she saw made her blood run cold. She let out a sudden gasp, leaping back from the window and straight into L'inconnu. Turning to face his serious eyes, she spoke;
"What are we going to do?"
"We're going to run away."
"Run away? Aren't you this infamous hero? A hero with great powers and strength, upholder of courage and justice and all that? Run away?"
"Well let's put it this way…do you want this place to become another "Terre de Diable"?" he asked harshly. Her head dropped so that her eyes regarded the floor. Sighing, he placed his hand upon her shoulder. "What I mean to say is that…I don't want any innocent people to die or get hurt…that includes you. My job is to protect you from him…not put you in a coffin." He gently lifted her chin so that his eyes met hers. She liked when he did that.
Suddenly Daisuke came bursting into the room, his voice echoing around the walls.
"Royal guards…the tough kind…hundreds….no thousands. Approaching fast! They're at the city limits! What are we going to do?" like a distressed puppy he pawed at L'inconnu, who promptly thumped him across the head.
"We are not going to panic like an old hen! That's what!" he reprimanded Daisuke, before lifting his gaze to meet a pair of azure blue eyes.
"Dai has a point though L'inconnu. What are we going to do?" the boy…what was his name? Takeru, spoke in a soft, unfazed tone. "I'm willing to fight if you need the help. I'm pretty well trained with both weapons and powers. I am at your service…and so is Daisuke obviously…" he gestured in Dai's direction at the young man unsheathing his Kusari-Kama, its scythe like blade glinting in the candle light. He twirled it around in a flamboyant manner, before flicking it back into his own grasp. Smirking, he spoke;
"Did anyone say fight?" his toothy grin was spread across his face in a boyish fashion, his tiger like fangs protruding.
"No! I refuse to let you two fight! This is not your fight and accept no excuses! If you were to get hurt because of me, I dread to think what I'd do with myself…" Sora spoke with her hand clutching at the area where her heart was beating furiously. They were her family…her only family to be precise.
"Sora we'll…"
"NO! I can't…I can't lose anymore…no more…" her eyes were wide with dread and fear and her full lips trembled. The stranger could clearly see how much it pained her to think about losing someone close to her. He chose that moment to speak up in a calm and solemn voice;
"We leave now…no fighting. We run." His head was bowed, his handsome face in shadow, as he lifted his hood.
"No."
Turning, the stranger saw the owner of the voice. Sora stood as tall and strongly as she could. She was making a stand. Her fists trembled and her eyes were set in a steely way.
"I am not leaving the children or mother Eva. I can't and I won't. If we leave who will protect them if the guards attack. They don't care for children." Stubbornly she sat herself down on the marble floor. She had made her stand. This stranger could not come into her life and just decide everything for her. Protector or not, he was not her conscience.
The young man sighed exasperatedly. She was obstinate. She was beautiful, smart, witty and a great fighter…but gods was she stubborn. Before he could state his case, another voice entered the room.
"Sora…you will go." Mother Eva's wizened figure appeared in the doorway. Her cobalt eyes held a deep sadness…but her face bore a simple smile.
"Mother Eva you cannot possibly think…"
"I don't think, I know. I know that your safety and that of the kingdom comes first."
"But the children!"
"Will be fine…I've already sorted out their lodgings. They will be in good hands with good families. Good families who have always wanted children…but who weren't as fortunate to have them. They have already left. Except Cody of course…it's like prising a goat away from food…impossible and pointless, because you know he'll always come back." And sure enough, in the door way was the green eyed boy.
"I am not going with some stupid family I hardly know! I either go with Sora or stay with you!"
"Then you must go…for here within these walls…tonight…is my parting from this world." Her voice was solemn and forlorn.
"Mother Eva NO!" her remaining children cried in protest. Her wise and all-knowing face held the very truth. "I am old and past my prime. A wanted woman, my children. Wanted for hiding Le Ange de Ciel. Wanted for my teachings, wanted for housing the rebellion. I must repent for my sins, my dears." She gave a sad, mocking laugh at the last part of her little confession. "Repent for my sins? Who does he think he is? God? Ha. I Shall die but you my dears? You shall live on tonight." Smirking a dark and knowing smile, the old woman sat herself down at a pew.
"Mother Eva please you can't…" Sora ran to her, gripping her hand within hers. "Please you can't!" sobbing she knelt before the old nun.
"Sora my dear…please don't make this harder than it should be. Go. Now. They approach." Dai and Takeru managed to pull the young woman to her feet and in the direction of the door.
"L'inconnu?" Mother Eva's voice was quiet and sorrowful.
"Yes?" he spoke with a whisper of a voice. The emotionless one stood facing the stained glass window, facing the oncoming fire.
"Teach them all you know…the boys…Cody especially. Teach Dai control and respect. Takeru needs to channel his emotions more. Cody just needs to learn. And Sora? When her powers are released, show her how to control them, use them. Show her how to channel them…everything."
"They haven't been released yet? But why can I feel them now?"
"Because she will release them soon. Without warning, they are strong…the strongest…and the hardest to tame. Help her. Take care of her. Protect her…Love her."
He was shocked at the old woman's last statement. Love her? How did she know? And how could he? He knew not of emotion. He had started experiencing feeling after meeting Sora…but it didn't mean he understood them, knew what they meant or what they were.
"I know you feel it L'inconnu. You may not know emotions such as love…but she does. Let her in…let her show you. Love is one of the strongest powers to grace Le Terre. Harness it. Tame her heart and you'll tame your own…now go." The stranger turned to go, before the old nun stopped him. "And give her this…" She removed something from around her neck and placed it within his outstretched palm. "May grace be with you."
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
The old barn where the horses were stabled was eerily quiet. Only 5 horses remained. The rest had obviously gone with the children…Mother Eva cared for them as much as humans. There was L'inconnu's own fiery steed; Diablo. Sora's beautiful mare; Cherub. Daisuke's bull in a china shop; Poltergeist. Takeru's patient gelding; feather. And Cody's enthusiastic young mare; Katana. By the time the stranger made it down to the barn, the rest were all saddled and ready to go. After a few minutes of preparing, the 5 silently left. The home she had known for sixteen years, soon to be no more.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
On a grassy hill just outside the city, the auburn haired beauty wailed as she watched the dark flames curl their way around the divine cathedral. They tore and ripped at the old marbled walls, destroying…killing. Curled up against the neck of her faithful steed she wept. Her home…her guardian. Dead, destroyed. A hand reached out to her, a set of marbled pink and white rosary beads hanging from his leather enclosed fingers.
"She gave them to me…for you." He spoke in that deep husky voice as always, but this time it was quieter, more solemn.
Taking a few shaky breaths, she regained a bit of composure. Taking the beads from his hands, she placed them around her neck.
"Thank you. I guess…we should go?" she made an attempt at a smile. L'inconnu smiled back, a small smile. A respectful smile.
"Let's go."
Five riders and five horses departed from the City of Angels that night. One shadowy man; dead set on completing his task and hoping to discover his heart. One young fiery woman; hoping for a home, a life and a little bit of love within her life. One lad just departing teenager-hood and full of spirit. One young man bound for encounters new. And one young boy…seeking to become a man.
Donc, Le journée commence.(Therefore, the journey begins.)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Okay there it is guys chapter 6! Finished. Please read and review. Also please tell me what you think of maybe having a bit of a steamy romance scene or two later on in the story. Yes? No? Bit of corset undoing and cloak removing? Sound good? Tell me what you think!!!!!!!!!!!
Laters guys! Love ya's ma honeys!!!!
X x x x x x x x x